3.17.2019 Pastor-Teacher | Chris Regas

God’s Unlikely Provision

Lesson 6 • 1Kings 17:2-7

How Does God’s Loyal Remnant Survive When Judgment Falls?

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.” Proverbs 14:34 “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Psalm 11:3

Relating to Elijah…

➤ Elijah is facing life-threatening consequences due to his loyalty to the LORD and the disloyalty of others. ➤ Elijah’s life is in danger from persecution & execution by King Ahab and dehydration & starvation by the LORD’s drought and

famine that is fast approaching! ➤ How will Elijah escape Ahab’s persecution and endure the Lord’s retribution on His covenant people?

How Will the Lord Provide for His Loyal Remnant in the Worst of Times?

1. By the POWER of His Sovereign Word! 1Kings 17:1-5 Two Observations

➤ Elijah Represents God to His DISLOYAL Covenant People! (17:1) ➤ Elijah Represents the LOYAL Remnant to God! (17:2-7)

2. By the PROVIDENCE of His Sustaining Love.

1Kings 17:2-4

Definitions of Providence

Providence is the compassionate outworking of God’s sovereignty whereby all events are directed by Him to fulfill His purposes for His glory and for the good of His creation in general and His own children in particular.

The providence of God is when the sovereign Creator provides compassionate care for His undeserving creation – including His

enemies (Matt 5:45) – but He especially works all things together for good for His own people, who love Him and are called according to His purpose of becoming more like His Son, Jesus Christ (Rom 8:28-30).

The doctrine of providence tells us that the world and our lives are not ruled by chance or by fate or by luck

but by the WILL of our compassionate Creator and loving Father and His sovereign WORD!

The Purpose of the LORD’s Providential Provision

God providentially provides a place of protection, provision, and preparation for His loyal remnant, so they will learn to persevere until His purposes for them are accomplished!

➤ A Place of PROTECTION – The Brook Cherith east of the Jordan!

➤ A Place of PROVISION – The water of the brook and the food brought by the ravens!

➤ A Place of PROVIDENCE – The LORD providentially decides where, how, when, how long, and by whom!

➤ A Place of PREPARATION – The LORD is teaching Elijah to persevere by learning to trust solely on His providential care and sustaining love according to His WORD!

3. By the PATHWAY of Our Submissive Loyalty.

“Our obedience is an essential aspect of God’s protecting grace.” – Donald Wiseman

➤ RECEIVE the Word of the LORD. The Pathway of Revelation

➤ OBEY the Word of the LORD. The Pathway of Submission

➤ ABIDE in the Word of the LORD. The Pathway of Satisfaction

We do not live by bread alone but by EVERY WORD that proceeds out of the mouth of God!

➤ PRAY the Word of the LORD. The Pathway of Supplication ➤ ADORE the LORD of the Word. The Pathway of Devotion / Adoration / Exaltation

Read Psalms 119!

Our Place of Provision and Protection Is a PERSON!

The LORD provides by the Person of His Sovereign Savior, Jesus Christ, who promises to always provide for us in the worst of times!

So, persevere through the worst of times with an obedient faith in Jesus and His sovereign Word that promises He will providentially provide for us. Romans 8:28-39

Lessons to Learn and Live | Principles from God’s Unlikely Provision

(or Why We Don’t Unhitch from the Old Testament!)

o The God who chooses to give living water (physical and spiritual) can choose to take it away. o Our dried-up brooks can be direct answers to our own prayers for God’s glory, our good, and the joy of all peoples. o God’s direction includes His provision according to His Word as we follow with an obedient faith. o We are to follow the LORD one day at a time as we trust Him for our daily bread and live by His every Word. o A dried-up brook can be a sign of the LORD’s pleasure and displeasure at the same time – the LORD brings salvation through

judgment! Adapted from Charles Swindoll, Elijah: A Man of Heroism and Humility